Chapter 69 - 1: 160 Laps

Chapter 69: Chapter 1: 160 Laps

Wu Shi and Verstappen walked into the pit lane together, where two fully prepped FR2.0 Renault Formula cars were parked.

"The seats were made according to the measurements you provided three months ago. Get in and try them out," Michel Leconte said. "Today is mainly about tuning the cars."

Both drivers climbed into their cockpits. Unlike the simplicity of karts, at the Renault Formula level, the steering wheels were equipped with various buttons.

"Is the seat okay?" a nearby mechanic called out in a thick British accent.

"It’s fine."

Wu Shi adjusted his posture. The custom-molded seat offered excellent support, and the six-point harness strapped him firmly in place. The only thing that felt a bit unusual was the lack of a halo safety device, leaving his field of vision feeling incredibly wide and unobstructed.

"Try firing it up."

"Got it."

VROOM!

The engine roared to life, and a surge of sheer power radiated from behind him. If he were to release the clutch right now, the car would definitely shoot forward... or so one might think. In reality, it would just stall instantly.

At the Renault Formula level, the increase in horsepower came with a steeply rising curve in operational difficulty.

After sequentially testing the rest of the car’s functions, their initial shakedown for the day was complete. Tomorrow would be dedicated to basic driving practice, and formal testing would officially begin the day after.

Michel Leconte called over a veteran driver to take the two youths for a track walk.

"Pembrey Circuit has a total of nine corners and is 2,343 meters long. Since you’re just transitioning from karts to a major circuit like this, you need to pay special attention to stability," the veteran driver advised.

He shared a wealth of precautions, and as Wu Shi listened, he walked over to the edge of the track and stomped on the curbs a few times to test their grip.

"This track has a history of over two decades. It’s much older than either of you," the veteran chuckled.

"I heard that some drivers who were incredible in their karting days struggle to adapt when they enter formula racing," Verstappen suddenly spoke up.

"Oh? Are you talking about yourself?" Wu Shi smiled.

"No, I’m talking about you. I couldn’t beat you in karts, but formula racing might be a different story." Verstappen grinned and added, "I’ve actually practiced beforehand."

"I know. You even tested for F3 last year; there’s no way you haven’t touched a Renault." Wu Shi shrugged indifferently. If they were really going to compare who had practiced more in advance, he had a massive head start.

"You aren’t worried you won’t be able to beat me?" Verstappen asked.

"Are you worried you won’t be able to beat Leclerc?"

"Of course." Verstappen nodded. This year in the karting championships, he and Leclerc had been locked in a fierce, neck-and-neck rivalry.

"Then we’re different. I’m not worried at all, because worrying is useless. We’ll only know once we’re on the track."

The setting sun cast a golden glow over the expansive circuit.

The next day, the two drivers took their cars out onto the track.

Verstappen went first. Thanks to his prior driving experience, he could lead the way and set an example.

"Is this Wu Shi’s first time driving a Renault Formula car?" Michel Leconte asked.

"Yes," Sid confirmed, wondering why everyone always seemed so keen to ask if it was Wu Shi’s first time driving a certain car.

"Then he’ll need at least a few dozen practice laps today just to get familiar with it, so we can properly start the tests tomorrow."

Sid nodded in agreement.

Ahead of them, Verstappen weaved aggressively from side to side to warm up his tires. The car’s violent swerving seemed like his way of showing Wu Shi the proper way to build up tire temperature.

Wu Shi followed suit with equally wide swings. The tire temperature did rise rapidly. He instinctively glanced at his telemetry screen, but it didn’t display tire heat data. However, that wasn’t a pressing issue.

VROOOM!

Verstappen began to accelerate, only to slam on the brakes right before the corner.

Wu Shi pressed his radio button. "Max, what are you playing at?"

Verstappen replied over the radio, "Whoa, haha, I’m just testing the car’s performance."

Clearly, Verstappen was just messing with him.

Wu Shi pressed his radio again. "Then I’m going to do some testing of my own."

Verstappen replied, "Okay, but be careful not to crash into me. A formula car isn’t chea—"

VROOOOOOM!!!

The roar of an engine erupted from behind, and Wu Shi’s car blitzed right past Verstappen, snatching the lead.

Verstappen shouted over the radio, "Hey! You didn’t say you were going to overtake me! But if you want to see who’s faster, bring it on!"

The few people in the pit lane could hear their radio exchange. Sid glanced over at Jos.

"Trust them," Jos said.

Seeing that Jos wasn’t opposed, Michel Leconte didn’t object either, though he was still somewhat concerned.

SWOOSH!

After clipping through Turn 1, Wu Shi accelerated fiercely, maintaining a terrifyingly high speed as he charged into Turn 2.

Michel Leconte instinctively gripped the back of his chair, praying that the karting champion wouldn’t crash during his very first Renault Formula test.

Jos and Sid, who were more familiar with Wu Shi, remained perfectly relaxed. In their experience, Wu Shi wasn’t the type to take reckless risks during normal laps.

WHOOSH!

Sure enough, the Renault Formula car smoothly carved through Turn 2, exiting at an absolutely terrifying speed.

"Truly formidable," Michel Leconte muttered in awe.

Refusing to be outdone, Verstappen followed closely behind, matching Wu Shi’s entry line. However, just as he reached the apex, he slammed hard on the brakes, sending up a massive plume of white smoke.

"He lost his nerve," Sid observed.

"If it were me, I wouldn’t have risked it either," Jos shrugged.

VROOM VROOM VROOM!

The two cars tore around the track without a moment’s pause.

Realizing that the boys had effectively started their actual testing program today, Michel Leconte called for the mechanics and tire changers. He then radioed the drivers to inform them of their respective pit box numbers.

Eighteen laps later, Wu Shi pitted.

The front jack mechanic swallowed hard, praying he wouldn’t get run over.

SCREECH!

The car came to a halt right in front of him, precise to the millimeter.

"Hey! Stop daydreaming!" another mechanic shouted.

Only then did the jackman snap to attention and prop up the car.

BRRR-CLACK!

The tire change was complete.

VROOM!

The car peeled out of the box.

"It looks like they can finish the full 160-lap testing program today," Michel Leconte said.

"Yes, and their lap times look pretty terrifying, too," an engineer added.

Jos pinched his chin in deep thought for a long time before turning to Sid. "Let’s put them in F3 next year."

"Skip Renault Formula entirely?"

"Of course. Their speed is more than enough to handle F3."

"So this was your plan all along in having them test the Renault Formula," Sid realized.

"By the way, what about the Rafa side?" Jos asked.

"They have a spot in their academy, but we aren’t satisfied with the contract they offered. They want Wu Shi to strictly follow the standard promotion ladder, whereas we feel there’s no need to waste so much time and money on lower-tier series."

"Haha, great minds think alike," Jos beamed.

Even though Holland sponsored Verstappen every year, the costs were skyrocketing as he climbed higher up the racing ladder. Take today’s test, for example. Renting the track, buying tires, paying for fuel, maintenance, and so on—it all burned through cash. Four thousand euros a day was just the bare minimum.

Over the course of the day, the two drivers chewed through a total of nine sets of tires and completed their 160-lap test.

When all the telemetry data was finally compiled, Jos stroked his chin, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Did you guys notice? Wu Shi’s data is incredibly bizarre."

Everyone shifted their gaze away from the line graph comparing Wu Shi and Verstappen’s speeds, tracing Jos’s eyes to see what he was staring at.